Abstract: A medical kit, including a split-tip catheter, a first intra-catheter stiffener element, a second intra-catheter stiffener element, a first guidewire, and a second guidewire. The split-tip catheter includes a first lumen in fluid communication with a first distal opening and a second lumen in fluid communication with a second distal opening with the first distal opening proximal to the second distal opening. The first intra-catheter stiffener element is designed for disposition in the first lumen, and the second intra-catheter stiffener element is designed for disposition in the second lumen. The first intra-catheter stiffener element includes a first guidewire lumen, and the second intra-catheter stiffener element includes a second guidewire lumen.

Abstract: A medical kit, including a split-tip catheter, a first intra-catheter stiffener element, a second intra-catheter stiffener element, a first guidewire, and a second guidewire. The split-tip catheter includes a first lumen in fluid communication with a first distal opening and a second lumen in fluid communication with a second distal opening with the first distal opening proximal to the second distal opening. The first intra-catheter stiffener element is designed for disposition in the first lumen, and the second intra-catheter stiffener element is designed for disposition in the second lumen. The first intra-catheter stiffener element includes a first guidewire lumen, and the second intra-catheter stiffener element includes a second guidewire lumen.

Abstract: A method of performing a medical procedure, includes providing a catheter including a first lumen in fluid communication with a first distal opening and a second lumen in fluid communication with a second distal opening, advancing a distal end of a first intra-catheter stiffener element through the first lumen and out of the first distal opening, coupling the first intra-catheter stiffener element to the catheter, advancing a distal end of a second intra-catheter stiffener element through the second lumen and out of the second distal opening, coupling the second intra-catheter stiffener element to the catheter, and advancing the catheter into a patient.

Abstract: A method of performing a medical procedure, includes providing a catheter including a first lumen in fluid communication with a first distal opening and a second lumen in fluid communication with a second distal opening, advancing a distal end of a first intra-catheter stiffener element through the first lumen and out of the first distal opening, coupling the first intra-catheter stiffener element to the catheter, advancing a distal end of a second intra-catheter stiffener element through the second lumen and out of the second distal opening, coupling the second intra-catheter stiffener element to the catheter, and advancing the catheter into a patient.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter, a first intra-catheter stiffener element, and a second intra-catheter stiffener element. The catheter includes a first lumen in fluid communication with a first distal opening and a second lumen in fluid communication with a second distal opening. The first intra-catheter stiffener element is configured for disposition through the first lumen such that a distal end thereof extends distally of the first distal opening, the first intra-catheter stiffener element including a first coupler at a proximal end thereof. The second intra-catheter stiffener element is configured for disposition through the second lumen such that a distal end thereof extends distally of the second distal opening, the second intra-catheter stiffener element including a second coupler at a proximal end thereof.

Abstract: Implantable prostheses for reinforcing and repairing defects in a muscular or tissue wall and a method for fabricating the prostheses that minimizes wasted mesh material and reduces the labor and time required for fabrication. The prosthesis may include a plug body formed of surgical mesh material having a closed end, a larger open end, and a cavity extending therebetween, and a filler body formed of the surgical mesh material comprising a plurality of petals extending radially outwardly from and spaced laterally about a common base disposed in the plug body with the common base attached to the closed end of the plug body. The plug bodies are cut as circular pieces, and the filler bodies are cut as hour-glass shaped pieces from the same sheet of material so as to leave virtually no wasted mesh material. The filler pieces may be attached to the plug body piece by welding.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter, a first intra-catheter stiffener element, and a second intra-catheter stiffener element. The catheter includes a first lumen in fluid communication with a first distal opening and a second lumen in fluid communication with a second distal opening. The first intra-catheter stiffener element is configured for disposition through the first lumen such that a distal end thereof extends distally of the first distal opening, the first intra-catheter stiffener element including a first coupler at a proximal end thereof. The second intra-catheter stiffener element is configured for disposition through the second lumen such that a distal end thereof extends distally of the second distal opening, the second intra-catheter stiffener element including a second coupler at a proximal end thereof.

Abstract: Implantable prostheses for reinforcing and repairing defects in a muscular or tissue wall and a method for fabricating the prostheses that minimizes wasted mesh material and reduces the labor and time required for fabrication. The prosthesis may include a plug body formed of surgical mesh material having a closed end, a larger open end, and a cavity extending therebetween, and a filler body formed of the surgical mesh material comprising a plurality of petals extending radially outwardly from and spaced laterally about a common base disposed in the plug body with the common base attached to the closed end of the plug body. The plug bodies are cut as circular pieces, and the filler bodies are cut as hour-glass shaped pieces from the same sheet of material so as to leave virtually no wasted mesh material. The filler pieces may be attached to the plug body piece by welding.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for inserting flexible, multi-lumen catheters into blood vessels, and in particular, for inserting flexible, split-tip catheters into blood vessels. The invention accomplishes these objects by temporarily stiffening each catheter lumen and tip independently through use of intra-catheter stiffener elements disposed within the catheter lumens. This provides means for advancing the catheter/stiffeners assembly through a subcutaneous tunnel, and over a plurality of guidewires until a distal tip of the catheter is at a desired position within the vessel. The intra-catheter stiffener elements are sufficiently stiffening to allow advancing the catheter over guidewires, but sufficiently flexible to allow bending and looping of the catheter for proper placement within the vessel.

Abstract: Implantable prostheses for reinforcing and repairing defects in a muscular or tissue wall and a method for fabricating the prostheses that minimizes wasted mesh material and reduces the labor and time required for fabrication. The prosthesis may include a plug body formed of surgical mesh material having a closed end, a larger open end, and a cavity extending therebetween, and a filler body formed of the surgical mesh material comprising a plurality of petals extending radially outwardly from and spaced laterally about a common base disposed in the plug body with the common base attached to the closed end of the plug body. The plug bodies are cut as circular pieces, and the filler bodies are cut as hour-glass shaped pieces from the same sheet of material so as to leave virtually no wasted mesh material. The filler pieces may be attached to the plug body piece by welding.

Abstract: Multi-lumen catheter devices having at least one split-tipped end are disclosed, together with methods of forming such split tip catheters. In one aspect of the invention, the manufacturing methods can include the steps of: providing a catheter body having at least a first and a second internal lumen extending longitudinally through the catheter body; removing a distal portion of the catheter body to form a first distal tip segment such that the first lumen extends longitudinally within this tip segment beyond the second lumen; and joining a second lumen tip segment to the catheter body in communication with the second lumen. The second tip segment can be joined to the catheter body such that it is at least partially separated from the first tip segment and, in some embodiments, preferably diverges at an angle relative to the first tip segment.

Abstract: Multi-lumen catheter devices having at least one split-tipped end are disclosed, together with methods of forming such split tip catheters. In one aspect of the invention, the manufacturing methods can include the steps of: providing a catheter body having at least a first and a second internal lumen extending longitudinally through the catheter body; removing a distal portion of the catheter body to form a first distal tip segment such that the first lumen extends longitudinally within this tip segment beyond the second lumen; and joining a second lumen tip segment to the catheter body in communication with the second lumen. The second tip segment can be joined to the catheter body such that it is at least partially separated from the first tip segment and, in some embodiments, preferably diverges at an angle relative to the first tip segment.

Abstract: Implantable prostheses for reinforcing and repairing defects in a muscular or tissue wall and a method for fabricating the prostheses that minimizes wasted mesh material and reduces the labor and time required for fabrication. The prosthesis may include a plug body formed of surgical mesh material having a closed end, a larger open end, and a cavity extending therebetween, and a filler body formed of the surgical mesh material comprising a plurality of petals extending radially outwardly from and spaced laterally about a common base disposed in the plug body with the common base attached to the closed end of the plug body. The plug bodies are cut as circular pieces from a sheet of the surgical mesh material while the filler bodies are cut as a plurality of hour-glass (or dog-bone) shaped pieces with arcuate side edges, wherein the hour-glass shaped filler pieces are cut from the same sheet of material between adjacent circular plug body pieces so as to leave virtually no wasted mesh material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for inserting flexible, multi-lumen catheters into blood vessels, and in particular, for inserting flexible, split-tip catheters into blood vessels. The invention accomplishes these objects by temporarily stiffening each catheter lumen and tip independently through use of intra-catheter stiffener elements disposed within the catheter lumens. This provides means for advancing the catheter/stiffeners assembly through a subcutaneous tunnel, and over a plurality of guidewires until a distal tip of the catheter is at a desired position within the vessel. The intra-catheter stiffener elements are sufficiently stiffening to allow advancing the catheter over guidewires, but sufficiently flexible to allow bending and looping of the catheter for proper placement within the vessel.

Abstract: Methods of forming catheters are disclosed, together with methods of forming split tip catheters. In one aspect of the invention, the manufacturing methods can include the steps of: providing first and second catheter tubes each having a substantially D-shaped cross-section, and attaching at least a portion of longitudinal lengths of the first and second catheter tubes along flat surfaces of the first and second catheter tubes to form a dual lumen catheter assembly. The tubes can be fused along at least about 10%, preferably along at least about 50%, more preferably in some applications along at least about 70%, 80% or 90% of the longitudinal length.

Abstract: Methods of forming catheters are disclosed, together with methods of forming fixed tip catheters. In one aspect of the invention, the manufacturing methods can include the steps of: providing first and second catheter tubes, a distal end of the first catheter tube extending a longitudinal length beyond a distal end of the second catheter tube, and attaching a flow diverting structure to an outside surface of the first catheter tube between the distal ends of the first and second catheter tubes. The flow diverting structure can be oriented on the first catheter tube to divert fluid flowing through an inner lumen of the second catheter tube.

Abstract: Asymmetric lumen catheter devices are disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, a catheter assembly includes a first catheter tube having a first lumen extending longitudinally through the first catheter tube and a second catheter tube attached to the first catheter tube. The second catheter tube extends a longitudinal length beyond a distal end of the first catheter tube and has a second lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The first lumen has a larger cross-sectional size than the second lumen.

Abstract: Multi-lumen catheter devices having at least one split-tipped end are disclosed, together with methods of forming such split tip catheters. In one aspect of the invention, the manufacturing methods can include the steps of: providing a catheter body having at least a first and a second internal lumen extending longitudinally through the catheter body; removing a distal portion of the catheter body to form a first distal tip segment such that the first lumen extends longitudinally within this tip segment beyond the second lumen; and joining a second lumen tip segment to the catheter body in communication with the second lumen. The second tip segment can be joined to the catheter body such that it is at least partially separated from the first tip segment and, in some embodiments, preferably diverges at an angle relative to the first tip segment.

Abstract: The present invention provides an indicator for visually indicating a pressure level of a fluid in a pressure source. The indicator comprises an inflatable body having a notched section with opposing edge portions that are separated by a gap when the inflatable body is in an uninflated condition. The inflatable body further includes a port for connecting the inflatable body to the pressure source whereby upon inflation of the inflatable body, there is relative movement of the opposing edge portions in a direction so as to decrease the size of the gap and thereby indicate that a predetermined pressure has been reached in the pressure source. The indicator is particularly for indicating whether a predetermined pressure has been reached in an inflation cuff of an endotracheal tube.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated surgical instrument comprising a jaw assembly including a hollow tubular outer elongate member with a first jaw member fixed to and generally radially projecting from its first end; and an inner elongated member within and extending from the first end of the outer elongate member and having a second jaw member fixed to and generally radially projecting from its end adjacent the first jaw member. The jaw assembly is mounted on a frame of the instrument with the first and second jaw members in opposed relationship and can be manually rotated about its axis relative to the frame and releasably locked in a desired position. Manual squeezing of a trigger causes movement of the jaw members between open and closed positions through a hydraulic system which limits the maximum pressure that can be applied between the jaw members.